UT football: Longhorns land Jeffcoat, Hicks

Jackson Jeffcoat, the Plano West defensive end regarded as the top recruit in Texas and one of the best in the country, announced Friday he will sign with the Longhorns. Less than two hours later, UT picked up a commitment from Ohio linebacker Jordan Hicks, another highly touted recruit.

Together, Jeffcoat and Hicks could make Mack Brown’s already sparkling recruiting class the most coveted in the nation.

In an announcement at his high school, Jeffcoat — the son of former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Jim Jeffcoat — said he picked the Longhorns because he “felt most comfortable at Texas.” He also considered Houston (where his dad is an assistant coach), Oklahoma, Arizona State and USC. Jeffcoat, a power forward in basketball, will also be given the opportunity to play for Rick Barnes’ team.

Jeffcoat, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound Parade All-American, is the No. 1 player on Rivals’ postseason list of recruits in Texas, and No. 12 on the national Rivals100. He is the No. 2 player nationally in ESPNU’s recruiting rankings.

Hicks, a 6-2, 220-pound linebacker from West Chester, Ohio, is the No. 16 player in the Rivals100. He chose the Longhorns over Ohio State and Florida.

Hicks, Jeffcoat and every other 2010 recruit can sign an official letter of intent on Wednesday.